Review Summary:

The Kia Sorento has been around since the year 2002 and having entered its third generation of production at the tender age of 14, it’s safe to say the Korean mid-size SUV has come a long, long way from its humble beginnings.

Pros

* Priced well to keep up with its rivals.

Cons

* Exterior styling is rather revolting.

Looks

It’s difficult to better a great design, and while designers attempt to do so, more often than not they end up doing just the opposite. While the previous generation model of the Korean SUV was undeniably the prettiest model in the brand’s line-up, the 2016 Kia Sorento is simply ghastly with its oversized grille and fog lamps, and indistinct indentations along the bodywork.

Feels

Inside it all feels good and looks even better, and while some may be able to sense some similarity with the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the bigger issue lies with the dated instrument cluster that looks extremely out of place in an otherwise well put together cabin. With seating for seven individuals and up to 2,081 litres of storage capacity, the 2016 Kia Sorento is a practical and reasonably comfortable offering.

Engineering

Although not many 2016 Kia Sorento owners are likely to use their vehicles for towing purposes, it’s good to know that the 3.3 litre V6 engine squeezes out enough torque to be able to tug up to 2,268 kg. Why is that so impressive, you ask? Well, let’s just say it can tow more than its own weight.

What’s on offer?

From its 2.4 litre inline 4-cylinder engine, the 2016 Kia Sorento channels 185 horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 241 Nm of torque at 4,000 RPM to either a Front Wheel Drive, or an All Wheel Drive layout. Mated to a Sportmatic 6 speed transmission that allows for clutch-free manual shifting, the 3.3 litre V6 engine on the other hand is good for 290 horsepower at 6,400 RPM and 342 Nm of torque at 5,300 RPM.

Summing it…

With a price tag ranging from AED 86,900 to AED 92,900 for the 2.4 litre variant and up to AED 94,900 for the 3.3 litre version, the 2016 Kia Sorento is definitely more competitively priced than its Nissan Pathfinder rival, but of course, that wouldn’t matter unless you could get over its grotesque appearance first.

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